This belligerent behavior exhibits a desire by the U.S. administration to fan the flames of war, consistent with the hostilities the White House has engaged in recently with North Korea.
Source/Credit: Oregon Live
By Harris Zafar | December 10, 2017
Last week, Donald Trump boldly declared Jerusalem the capital of Israel and announced plans for the United States to be the first nation to establish an embassy there. As anyone with knowledge and experience on this matter would have predicted, the decision triggered disagreement and condemnation from world leaders that could escalate into worse consequences.
The U.S. stands alone in support of this ill-conceived decision. France, Germany and the UK -- three of America's strongest allies -- have all criticized President Trump's decision, calling it "unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region." Pope Francis voiced his disagreement, stating "I cannot remain silent about my deep concern for the situation that has developed in recent days." The United Nations, the European Union, Italy's prime minister, China's ministry of foreign affairs, Turkey's president and several others have joined a chorus disagreeing with Trump and warning of dire consequences.
President Trump has made an unnecessarily provocative decision that comes with a real risk of increased violence and the possibility of war. The peace process between Israel and Palestine is one of the most critical issues of our time, one that is marred with challenges and sensitivities. Irresponsible behavior from leadership on both sides has historically damaged peace talks and instigated violence. Instead of exhibiting concerted efforts to bring peace, Trump has now introduced heightened risk of inflaming an already volatile situation in the Middle East.
The decision to declare Jerusalem the capital closes peace talks by making a unilateral decision on an outstanding point in the negotiations. This belligerent behavior exhibits a desire by the U.S. administration to fan the flames of war, consistent with the hostilities the White House has engaged in recently with North Korea.
The U.S. has sought to establish itself as a fair arbiter in the peace-brokering process. But the move to unilaterally decide the position of Jerusalem clearly demonstrates that the U.S. cannot be considered an unbiased and just broker in the Middle East.
My concern for the wisdom -- or lack thereof -- of the current administration's behavior is not derived solely from the president's ill-conceived decision on Jerusalem. Rather, this is simply the latest example of this young administration's desire to tear apart the Middle East and more broadly isolate itself in the world. This administration has exhibited deeply troubling signs of creating unrest and disorder by its mass export of war weapons that have destroyed Syria and Yemen, its provocation of nuclear war with North Korea, its constant confrontations with Iran and its travel ban targeting people from the Middle East.
The U.S. administration needs to focus on peace-building efforts, using better judgment based on wisdom and justice. Instead of increasing tensions, hatred, violence and war, it's time we established a mature and just strategy in the attempts to end conflicts. Carnage, self-interest and deliberate conflict are the work of tyrants, not leaders. True long-term pathways to peace can only be established through diplomacy.
His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, spiritual leader of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, rightfully urged all world leaders, including the United Nations, to act with wisdom and play their roles "in establishing peace in the world, unencumbered by politics, injustice or favoritism."
As an American, I ask the leaders of my country to have the integrity to take a stand against this track record we have established and instead, steer us towards diplomacy, peace and unbiased justice. It's the only way for us to give our children a world better than what we have now.
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Harris Zafar (@Harris_Zafar) is national spokesperson for Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. He lives in Southwest Portland.
Read original post here: Perspective: Trump's dangerous and divisive decision on Jerusalem | Harris Zafar
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